Experience Studio Project: Ansys
To integrate sustainability across the production lifecycle, Ansys aims to create a spreadsheet solution that​​ includes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved, common set of attributes helping businesses measure their environmental performance at the level of a plant. It would allow internal stakeholders to work collaboratively in addressing product sustainability in a formal manner.
Sketching Using Heuristics As Design Pillars
Original sketch and how it influenced our final design
-
Grouping data in consistent, meaningful ways
-
Sorting data in consistent ways so the user can understand and interpret large amounts of data with the most ease
-
Filters for production stages so the user can select the data that is most relevant to their search
-
Separating related data into groups so the data is easy to read
-
Original sketch and how it influenced our final design
-
Limit Data Driven Tasks
-
Users can locate the data and information on the workbook quicker and easier
-
Alternating row colors for better readability
-
Limit how much the user has to scroll in order to help make comparing info easier
-
Original sketch and how it influenced our final design
-
Immediate transparent access/Reduce uncertainty
-
Users can filter out unwanted data in order to find the specific part or part number they are looking for
-
Color coding allows the user to separate data immediately
-
Filtering by attribute allows the user to view specific data of their choosing
-
Instructions and Color Keys clearly state everything’s intended function/use
-
Concept Testing
Mockups created in excel based off of design heuristics and research, we wanted to conduct a concept testing to receive feedback to assist in narrowing down our designs, identify data points and functions are useful to the user, and to find gaps in our design and how to address them
Final Design Overview
There are 3 sheets pertaining to each stage of the production process as well as a note-taking sheet regarding how each attribute for a specific part should be used during this process. We went from sketches to building high-fis in Excel because we found it would streamline the process since our final product would be made in Excel
Sheet Summary Page
At the top of the sheet for each stage of production is a summary of important information about the part. It includes: the stage of production, the date the sheet was last modified, the part name, etc. that give the user a quick overview of what is most important. It also includes a color key explanation for use less, better, and again.
Attributes Page
Attribute bins are the categories in which the attributes are grouped together based on their similarities. The attributes and attribute bins differ across all production stages because some factors involved in one stage are not relevant to another stage.
Use Less, Again, Better
3 different values that are used to describe how effective an attribute is in its current lifecycle.
Summary and Notes Sheet
At the top of the sheet for each stage of production is a summary of important information about the part. It includes: the stage of production, the date the sheet was last modified, the part name, etc. that give the user a quick overview of what is most important. It also includes a color key explanation for use less, better, and again.
Style Guide
On the spreadsheets, we chose colors that were easy on the eyes, keeping in mind that our users would be looking at large data sets on their computers all day, these being a dusty lilac, Ansys gold, and merlot pink, with a shade of each to alternate with. This second alternating shade was quite significant as it is the color we used to create alternating row colors to increase the ease of navigation on the spreadsheets. These hues were chosen as they complement one another without clashing with the green excel background, and because they are color-blind friendly which we tested using Adobe Color’s Accessibility Tools.